First on-campus, student-owned business now on Web

Customers can browse through movie titles and descriptions of available films at FliX | February 2, 2005

FliX, the first student-owned and -operated business on the University campus, is now online. The new web site, www.flixfirst.com, allows customers to browse through movie titles and descriptions that FliX has for rent.

The movie rental business, located in the Gallagher Student Center, opened for business in November 2003. It was the brainchild of seniors Kristi Zuhlke, Andy Gibson and Kenny Ray Schomp. They came up with the idea after talking with students who had to drive several miles to rent a movie. They did a survey on campus and found 60-75 percent of Xavier’s students owned a DVD player.

Since the founders are graduating soon, they turned the reins over to a new management team. Sophomore Alex Kenney will be the vice president for marketing/IT while junior twins Keri and Matthew Dooley will serve as vice presidents for finance and accounting/operations respectively.

“FliX is a non-profit corporation,” says Kenney. “So any profits will be channeled back into the Williams College of Business entrepreneurship program for other projects and scholarships.”

Funded with a three-year, $14,000 loan from the student government association, FliX employs more than a dozen students as workers, accountants and marketers. Other students also work as interns.
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